Benue Civil Society Calls for Increased Nutrition Funding

The Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS SUNN) has called on the Benue State government to enhance its investment in nutrition to address alarming rates of child malnutrition, which currently stands at 25.3% for wasting, 6.7% for underweight, and 13.6% for overall malnutrition. In a statement issued by the Executive Secretary, Mr. Okoronkwo Sundai, the organization highlighted the critical public health challenge posed by malnutrition in the state, exacerbated by widespread household food insecurity.

CS SUNN urged the government to fully fund the operations of the Benue State Multisector Plan of Action for Food and Nutrition (BSMPFAN) and to ensure timely budget releases for nutrition financing. They emphasized the importance of investing in maternal, infant, and young child nutrition, particularly during the first 1,000 days of life, to improve health outcomes and economic productivity.

The organization also called for increased nutrition budgets across various sectors, including health, agriculture, and education, and for the implementation of supportive policies for breastfeeding and maternal leave.